Houston Astros acquire starter Scott Kazmir from Oakland Athletics

The first big trade of the season has come eight days before the deadline.

The Houston Astros have acquired Scott Kazmir from the division rival Oakland Athletics, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal. In return, the A's will receive pitching prospect Daniel Mengden and catching prospect Jacob Nottingham.

Mengden, a fourth round selection in last year's draft out of Texas A&M, was ranked as the Astros' 19th best prospect, according to MLB.com. Nottingham, a 6th round pick out of high school in 2013, was ranked as their 22nd best prospect. Both were playing for Houston's A+ league affiliate Lancaster JetHawks prior to the trade.

Kazmir will be returning to his home town of Houston to play out the final year of a 2-year, $22 million contract he signed with Oakland prior to last season. The 31-year-old lefty had a resurgent 2014 season, which included being sent back to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2008. He has gotten even better so far this season, posting a 2.38 ERA along with 101 strikeouts in 109.2 innings.

Kazmir will slide in right behind Dallas Keuchel, the starting pitcher for the American League in the 2015 All-Star Game, atop the Astros rotation as they try to keep pace with the division leading Los Angeles Angels.